Safety Valve device in Gas Burning Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A safety valve device in a gas burning apparatus includes a valve body and an adjusting member. The valve body has an inlet port and an outlet port and defining a receiving room disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port. The receiving room opens to and in communication with the inlet port and the outlet port. The adjusting member is received by the receiving room. The adjusting member deforms in responsive to temperature from a first shape when in a normal mode into a second shape when in a protection mode and vice versa. The adjusting member is in the normal mode when experiencing a temperature not greater than a set temperature. The adjusting member is in the protection mode when experiencing a temperature greater than the set temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a safety valve device and, particularly, to a safety valve device in a gas burning apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,648 shows a gas-powered heating device. The heating device includes a combustion chamber, a jet nozzle can deliver fuel gas into the combustion chamber, a temperature responsive controller system can control the fuel gas supply to the jet nozzle. The temperature responsive controller system includes a valve which includes a valving member operably controlled by a permanent magnet, a first member made of thermomagnetic material, and a second member made of magnetic material. The first member can become magnetic, and in that case, the magnetic attraction between the first member and the permanent magnet is greater than the magnetic attraction between the second member and the permanent magnet, thereby maintaining the valve open. The first member can become non-magnetic for closing the valve. So, if the temperature of the main body of the device is hot, the first member becomes non-magnetic and the permanent magnet magnetically moves toward the second member to close the valve. When the valve is closed, less fuel gas is supplied to the jet nozzle and the thermal efficiency of the combustion chamber is decreased and the temperature of the main body is decreased.

Since the temperature responsive controller system has many components, the assembly of the temperature responsive controller system is troublesome. In addition, since the heating device includes two valve rooms in order to receive the components of the temperature responsive controller system and the temperature responsive controller system is used with a regulator control valve, the heating device has a complex structure and a high cost.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a safety valve device in a gas burning apparatus includes a valve body and an adjusting member. The valve body has an inlet port and an outlet port and defines a receiving room disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port. The receiving room includes a first end opening to and in communication with the inlet port and a second end opening to and in communication with the outlet port respectively. The adjusting member is received by the receiving room. The adjusting member deforms in responsive to temperature from a first shape when in a normal mode into a second shape when in a protection mode and vice versa. The adjusting member is in the normal mode when experiencing a temperature not greater than a set temperature. The adjusting member is in the protection mode when experiencing a temperature greater than the set temperature. The adjusting member in transition from the protection mode to the normal mode increases a size of an intermediate passage and results in an increased amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port. The adjusting member in transition from the normal mode to the protection mode decrease the size of the intermediate passage and results in a decreased amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port. The amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port is not zero when the adjusting member is in the protection mode, thereby allowing heat inside a gas burning apparatus to be retained.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a safety valve device in a gas burning apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of safety valve device in a gas burning apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a partial, enlarged view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a partial, enlarged view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the safety valve device in a normal mode.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the safety device in a protection mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 6 show a safety valve device 10 in a gas burning apparatus 90 in accordance with the present invention. The safety valve device 10 includes a valve body 20 and an adjusting member 30.

The valve body 20 has an inlet port 21 and an outlet port 22 and defines a receiving room 23 disposed between the inlet port 21 and the outlet port 22. The inlet port 21 extends axially along an axis L. The receiving room 23 includes a first end opening to and in communication with the inlet port 21 and a second end opening to and in communication with the outlet port 22 respectively. The receiving room 23 delimits a first receiving region and a second receiving region wider than the first receiving region. The valve body 20 defines a ridge 241 protruding in the receiving room 23, disposed radially to the axis L, and extending annularly around an exit end of the inlet port 21. The ridge 241 includes a slot 242 extending therethrough and radially to a height of the ridge 241 and the axis L., thereby allowing fluid to flow through the ridge 241 to the outlet port 22.

A cushion 26 is disposed between the ridge 241 and the adjusting member 30. The cushion 26 is received by the first receiving region and the adjusting member 30 is received by the second receiving region respectively. The cushion 26 includes a first surface abutting the adjusting member 30 and a second surface abutting the ridge 241 respectively. Thus, the ridge 241 bears the cushion 26 and the cushion 26 bears the adjusting member 30.

The adjusting member 30 is received by the receiving room 23. The ridge 241 bears the adjusting member 30. The valve body 20 includes first and second body shells 24 and 25 cooperatively defining the receiving room 23. The first body shell 24 includes a first end defining the inlet port 21 and a second end. The second body shell 25 is releasably connected to the second end of the first body shell 24. Therefore, a method for installing the cushion 26 and the adjusting member 30 in the valve body 20 includes disengaging the first and second body shells 24 and 25 from each other; putting the cushion 26 and the adjusting member 30 between the first and second body shells 24 and 25; and connecting the first and second body shells 24 and 25 to enclose the cushion 26 and the adjusting member 30.

The adjusting member 30 deforms in responsive to temperature from a first shape when in a normal mode into a second shape when in a protection mode and vice versa. The adjusting member 30 is in the normal mode when experiencing a temperature not greater than a set temperature. The adjusting member 30 is in the protection mode when experiencing a temperature greater than the set temperature. The adjusting member 30 in transition from the protection mode to the normal mode increases a size of an intermediate passage and results in an increased amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port 21 to the outlet port 22. The adjusting member 30 in transition from the normal mode to the protection mode decrease the size of the intermediate passage and results in a decreased amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port 21 to the outlet port 22. The amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port 21 to the outlet port 22 is not zero when the adjusting member 30 is in the protection mode, thereby allowing a catalyst of a gas burning apparatus 90 to provide sustained heat retention and heat inside a gas burning apparatus 90 to be retained.

The adjusting member 30 is made of a material including metal. Thus, it can serve as a catalyst. The adjusting member 30, shown in cross-sectional view, includes at least one end being a free end and flexed in a first direction narrowing the intermediate passage intercommunicating the inlet and outlet ports 21 and 22 when the adjusting member 30 is in transition from the normal mode to the protection mode, and in a second direction enlarging the intermediate passage when the adjusting member 30 is in transition from the protection mode to the normal mode. The at least one end of the adjusting member 30 protrudes outside the cushion 26. The adjusting member 30 includes two ends being free ends and protruding outside the cushion 26. The adjusting member 30 has a circular flat disc shape. The valve body 20 defines a protrusion protruding in the receiving room 23, extending annularly, and having a contour corresponding to a contour of the adjusting member 30. The intermediate passage is defined between the protrusion and the at least one end of the adjusting member 30.

An apparatus in which a gas burning process proceeds has an inlet end and an outlet end communicating with the inlet end. The inlet end defines a compartment and the valve body 20 is received by the compartment. The apparatus includes a nozzle member disposed therein, between the inlet end and the outlet end, and in front of the outlet port 22 of the valve body 20. The apparatus includes an inner tube and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The outer tube is disposed in a radially spaced relationship with the inner tube. The nozzle member is received by the inner tube.

In view of the forgoing, the safety valve device 10 is temperature responsive and works effectively and has a simple design. The safety valve device 10 allows a catalyst of a gas burning apparatus 90 to provide sustained heat retention. Thus, the gas burning apparatus 90 can retain a heated condition even when the adjusting member 30 is experiencing a temperature not greater than a set temperature.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A safety valve device in a gas burning apparatus comprising: a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port and defining a receiving room disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, and with the receiving room including a first end opening to and in communication with the inlet port and a second end opening to and in communication with the outlet port respectively; and an adjusting member received by the receiving room, wherein the adjusting member deforms in responsive to temperature from a first shape when in a normal mode into a second shape when in a protection mode and vice versa, wherein the adjusting member is in the normal mode when experiencing a temperature not greater than a set temperature, wherein the adjusting member is in the protection mode when experiencing a temperature greater than the set temperature; wherein the adjusting member in transition from the protection mode to the normal mode increases a size of an intermediate passage and results in an increased amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port, wherein the adjusting member in transition from the normal mode to the protection mode decrease the size of the intermediate passage and results in a decreased amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port, and wherein the amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet port to the outlet port is not zero when the adjusting member is in the protection mode, thereby allowing heat inside a gas burning apparatus to be retained.
 2. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting member, shown in cross-sectional view, includes at least one end being a free end and flexed in a first direction narrowing the intermediate passage intercommunicating the inlet and outlet ports when the adjusting member is in transition from the normal mode to the protection mode, and in a second direction enlarging the intermediate passage when the adjusting member is in transition from the protection mode to the normal mode.
 3. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inlet port extends axially, wherein the valve body defines a ridge protruding in the receiving room extending annularly around an exit end of the inlet port and bearing the adjusting member, and wherein the ridge includes a slot extending therethrough and radially to a height of the ridge, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the ridge to the outlet port.
 4. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a cushion disposed between the ridge and the adjusting member, with the cushion including a first surface abutting the adjusting member and a second surface abutting the ridge respectively.
 5. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receiving room delimits a first receiving region and a second receiving region wider than the first receiving region, wherein the cushion is received by the first receiving region and the adjusting member is received by the second receiving region respectively, and wherein the adjusting member includes two ends being free ends and protruding outside the cushion.
 6. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve body includes first and second body shells cooperatively defining the receiving room, wherein the first body shell includes a first end defining the inlet port and a second end, wherein the second body shell is releasably connected to the second end of the first body shell.
 7. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting member has a circular flat disc shape, wherein the valve body defines a protrusion protruding in the receiving room, extending annularly, and having a contour corresponding to a contour of the adjusting member, and wherein the intermediate passage is defined between the protrusion and the at least one end of the adjusting member.
 8. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjusting member is made of a material including metal.
 9. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an apparatus in which a gas burning process proceeds, wherein the apparatus has an inlet end and an outlet end communicating with the inlet end and the inlet end defines a compartment, and wherein the valve body is received by the compartment.
 10. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the apparatus includes a nozzle member disposed therein, between the inlet end and the outlet end, and in front of the outlet port of the valve body.
 11. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the apparatus includes an inner tube and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube, wherein the outer tube is disposed in a spaced relationship with the inner tube, and wherein the nozzle member is received by the inner tube.
 12. The safety valve device in the gas burning apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adjusting member has a circular flat disc shape, wherein the valve body defines a protrusion protruding in the receiving room, extending annularly, and having a contour corresponding to a contour of the adjusting member, and wherein the intermediate passage is defined between the protrusion and the at least one end of the adjusting member. 